http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Nelson_Comments_62804-112725-66.html How nice is it to be somewhere where you were wanted so much that they traded a future first-round pick to get you? It’s a blessing in disguise, because obviously I’m wanted down here, I’m needed, and I obviously want to be down here. Will you be playing with a chip on your shoulder? Yeah, it’s not going to go away. It’s not going to go away after the season either. It will be with me throughout my career. Whatever I have done so far in my career, in basketball or anything else, I was always told I can’t do something. To me, to be drafted 20 is a blessing. Was it tough sitting and waiting on draft night until your name was called? It wasn’t tough at all; I was in the green room. A lot of people in my situation probably would have been upset, but I’m mature enough to understand I’m very fortunate. A lot of people, realistically, can’t even think about going to the green room, it’s only like one percent of the population. I’m very fortunate to be here. Did the Magic indicate to you that they were interested in drafting you? I knew they were interested, but also knew they had number one, and I knew I wasn’t going to go number one. Like I said, I’m one of those guys who thinks realistically. Did they indicate to you that they might make a deal to acquire you? Yes, they did. Did you work out here? No, I didn’t work out here. Where did they see you then? At St. Joe’s, they came to see me numerous times at St. Joe’s. They watched me practice, and I’m quite sure they came to at least five or six games. Do you think you dropping to number 20 is a continuation of what happened during the college basketball season? Billy Packer ripping you guys, things of that nature. He doesn’t have anything to do with this (laughing). I mean throughout my life I have always been overlooked, because they say I’m too small, too this, too that. What they don’t understand is that I’m getting the job done. You said that just because somebody is taller doesn’t make them better, can you elaborate on that? Well if I can do the same things as somebody that is 6’4 or 6’5 can do at the point, what is the difference? Because they can post-up? Don’t tell me that somebody is better than me because they’re 6’2. Last time I checked we play with our shoes on and I measure at almost 6’1 with my shoes. If you want me to measure at 6’2 I’ll put in-soles in too. You considered coming out after your junior year, why did you go back for your senior year? Well I knew I was going to be number 20, I knew Orlando was going to pick me, so I went back to school (laughing). No, I wanted to get myself closer to my degree, which I have done. I haven’t received my degree yet, but I’m going to do that. I wanted to be a kid. I knew there are a lot of responsibilities in the NBA, and definitely a transition you have to make, and I didn’t know if I was ready for that transition. I had good people around me that gave me information that I needed to make my decision, and I’m very fortunate to have those people around me too. If you were applying for a job what would it say on the top of your résumé? Leader. What else? Passion. I have love for the game. I know that everyone knows that I have tattoos, and I have a tattoo right here on my chest that says, ‘love of the game’, a heart with a basketball in it. This is my job, and I’m going to approach it like it is my job. Something that I love to do, something that is fun to me. When did you become a leader? I think it was when I was a freshman in college. Going to St. Joe’s, the year before they were 13-17, and I knew it was going to be a challenge for me to help turn that program around, but I also knew I could do it. Once I stepped on the court and I started doing my job, all the guys that were seniors and juniors believed in me. That gave me confidence in myself that said ‘I’m a leader.’ How does somebody become a leader? For some reason I’ve always been one of the best guys on the team. I think hard work and dedication, if your hardest worker is your most dedicated, you will have guys that just naturally follow and say, ‘I want to be like him.’ Who doesn’t want to be like Michael Jordan? He works harder than anybody ever. The vocal part of my leadership just came in my junior year because I was forced to do that. Obviously, it was a great situation because now I’m in a situation here in Orlando where I’m going to have to be a leader. Does it bother you that the Magic might be brining in another point guard in Steve Francis? Not at all, I’m here to do what is asked of me, and whatever my role is going to be, I’m going to fulfill that role. Does it bother you that you went to college for four years, and other guys are getting selected early after only one year of college or coming straight out of high school? Not at all. I could have went to the NBA last year as a junior, but that is neither here nor there. Those guys are in a situation just like I am, they’re great players, great kids, and they just want to live their dream. You can’t knock those guys for being hungry, those guys want to play in the NBA. If somebody would have told me when I was in the 12th grade that I was going to be number one, I would have come out too. How can you not come out if you are going to be the number one pick? Will you get on guys if they are dogging it despite being a rookie? Well that is my job. If I’m going to be put right in the fire, I’m going to be in the situation where the coach asked me to be leader or whoever asks me to be a leader, I’m going to do it, that’s my job. Do you think the toughest transition will be matching up with bigger guards, like Jason Kidd? No, not at all, I’ve been going against bigger guards all my life. I think the biggest transition will be off the court stuff, all the free time and just getting used to the atmosphere. Are you looking forward to playing with Dwight Howard and what do you know about him? Well honestly I don’t know probably as much as you guys know. I know he is a great player, I know he blocks a lot of shots. He is really athletic and he can run the floor. I love to run the floor, I love to the push the ball up, and if I can have a big man that can run with me it is going to make my job a lot easier and his job too, because I’m going to get him the ball right under the basket. Did you look up to anyone in the NBA that wasn’t big physically? I look up to Doug Overton, that is my mentor. He has been in the league for ten years. He is not the biggest guy, he is not the strongest, but he is a pro. A lot of guys don’t understand what it takes to be a pro. You don’t have to be the best athlete, you don’t have to be the best or most talented. You conduct yourself right as a professional, do what you have to do, work hard, everything is going to come to you. How do you think you can help turn this team around? I’m going to come in here and fulfill my role. Hopefully my role is strong enough to help the team with their record. They have great guys on this team, I’m going to do whatever I can do. You were a scorer at St. Joe’s, do you think that role changes to more of a passing guard on this team? Well me as a point guard there are going to be times I have to score and times I have to pass. We haven’t even started practice yet so you don’t know who is going to give you what, so I think it is a little premature to answer that. What do you need to get better at? Everything, I’m the type of person that I can improve everything, and I will improve everything.
